Lincoln Way, Grand, Ontario, Stange, Thirteenth and Duff – this summer almost every major street in Ames will be under construction.

Ames Public Works Director Paul Weigand said that adding turning lanes and making other improvements to these roads will make them safer. He said one of the construction’s goals is to reduce damages to vehicles caused by potholes on streets such as Grand Ave. and Ontario St.

These two roads are also major CyRide routes. They were not designed to handle the heavy traffic they are currently under, CyRide’s Director of Transportation Bob Bourne said.

He said CyRide has made major changes in its routes due to the construction. Several detours have been created for the routes and temporary bus stops have been installed, Bourne said.

CyRide buses make about 5,000 stops each day, he said.

Bourne said that the bus riders picked up at these stops have accepted the alternate routes, especially during the summer time.

He said that although they may have to walk farther to the bus stop or wait longer for a bus, passengers are willing to accept the changes knowing that the construction needs to be done to improve Ames roadways.

Weigand also commented on the mainly positive feedback he’s heard in response to the construction.

He said some complaints have been made concerning the increased volume and speed of traffic detoured through residential areas, but most residents believe that the changes need to be done.

Lily Erdahl, senior in biology, said that she will be happy after the potholes are covered up.

“It is a little bit of an inconvenience, but [it] will solve a lot of problems in the future,” Erdahl said.

Although some construction will continue through November, most of it will be finished before school starts in August, Weigand said.